The *Daily Herald* recently published an article discussing a proposal by a Batavia city councilman to place the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) under the jurisdiction of the fire department. The idea was put forward by a city council committee, suggesting that the fire chief should take on the role of ESDA supervisor.
Jeff Glaser, the current part-time director of ESDA, has been leading the agency for 35 years and is strongly opposed to the plan. He emphasizes that the agency relies entirely on volunteers, many of whom have dedicated decades to its mission. Councilman McGrath, however, argues that the town has changed significantly over the years—both in population and in the nature of emergency services. He points out that the fire department now handles fewer actual fires and has developed more specialized expertise, making it a better fit to oversee ESDA.
McGrath also claims that the mayor lacks the time and professional experience needed to manage ESDA effectively. Under the proposed structure, the fire chief would serve as the ESDA coordinator, with a manager reporting directly to him. Volunteers would then report to the manager. Whether the manager position is paid or not will be decided by the city council. Notably, the 2013 budget does not allocate funds for a full-time ESDA employee, unlike previous years which had set aside $10,000. This year’s ESDA budget totals $29,183, with $17,000 designated for the installation of a tornado siren near Louise White Elementary School.
Another key point raised by Schielke is that reorganizing ESDA under the fire department could increase the likelihood of receiving state accreditation from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. This accreditation would open the door to federal grants and help the agency acquire new equipment. Currently, ESDA’s fleet includes two aging Army trucks that are over 60 years old, and the last vehicle purchased from the city was a Jeep Cherokee in 1995—still in use today.
ESDA plays a vital role in the community, managing the city’s outdoor warning sirens, assisting at emergency scenes such as fires, traffic accidents, and large public events like the July 4th fireworks. The agency also provides lighting for rescue operations, maintains three boats for water and ice rescues, and operates an ambulance. One of the Army trucks has been modified for grass fire suppression, and ESDA is responsible for maintaining the city’s disaster supplies and overseeing the shelter at City Hall during emergencies.
This proposal has sparked debate among residents and officials, with some supporting the move for greater efficiency and others concerned about losing the volunteer-driven model that has served the community for decades.
You can read the full article here.
Thanks, Dennis.
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